a TOP TIPS FOR 10 MASTER Gardener's Beginners

By Sarah Mortensen

As the crisp morning air begins to warm a little more each day, those with a green thumb get the itch to start planting. Others, who notice the gardening gear on front display at the supermarket wonder how to begin. Thankfully, certified experts (some would say trusted friends) called Master Gardeners are happy to help anyone with a gardening problem—from the confident to the clueless, from flowers to fungi.

Karen Palmer, a Clark County Master Gardener since 2000, decided to become certified after moving to the Pacific Northwest. Her potatoes were suffering from a bug she couldn’t get rid of or identify. The Answer Clinic at the local WSU-Vancouver extension office quickly identified the pest as flea beetles and prescribed a remedy. Since then, Palmer has continued to expand her own garden’s variety. “What I like about this area is the temperate climate and identifiable seasons,” she shares. “This makes it very conducive to growing ornamental trees and shrubs, but also amenable to many annual vegetables.”

A Master Gardener’s mission is to educate the community on caring for plants of all kinds. They can often be found teaching workshops on healthy eating, eating on a budget and small space gardening. Palmer has taught many of these classes herself and loves to share her knowledge and inspire others to give gardening a go. Here she offers her Top 10 Tips for starting your own backyard food garden.

Start Small

Some people aren’t interested in digging up their back yard, or don’t have a backyard to begin with. In either case, Palmer says, “If you are a new gardener, it is best to start out small. The first few years will be a learning experiences as you learn what grows best in your space and how much time you have to devote. You can start with just one raised bed or a few large pots on the deck.”

In smaller spaces, sunlight is often a limiting factor. If you have a small deck off an apartment, depending on which direction it faces, you may not have enough sun for your favorite food. Reading the seed packet label will help you know what will work and what won’t. For example, “A pepper plant requires a full day of sun exposure while lettuce can get by with a half day,” says Palmer. In addition to sunlight, the seed pack should also list the “number of days to maturity.” This number tells how many days until the first fruit will be ready to pick. “For instance, a habanero pepper takes about 120 days to fully ripen. Not too many of us in this region have 120 days of frost-free weather from the time we can put that plant in the ground,” explains Palmer.

Begin at the Bottom

Soil is where it all begins. Without a healthy soil, no matter how much love and care you give your plants, their output will be limited. So, while Palmer recommends not spending a lot of money your first gardening season, continued on next page she does say, “If you splurge on anything, your planting soil is the best place to do it. Cheaper soils are filled with woody shreds. While they will eventually break down to good organic matter, that won’t happen in one growing season. So, it is best to get a bag of good quality potting soil for a container [or] a truckload of a good mix for a raised bed. The raised bed mixture is a one-time expense.”

For those who want to plant straight in the ground, make sure to till and weed thoroughly before planting. Then, add a hefty amount of compost to the soil. Palmer also suggests, “If you are planning an in-ground vegetable garden, then get a soil test so you know what [components] you need to add.” Backyard soils under sod in our area tend to be clay-heavy. While clay retains moisture well, it can be hard to dig in. Composting is the best and cheapest way to both soften the soil and add nutrients. When planning your gardening space, try to save a bit of space for a composting area. It will pay dividends in the form of better plants and free fertilizer!

Grow What You Eat and Get Your Kids Involved

Children love seeing seeds grow. Watching a tiny white flower turn into a small green ball then a large juicy blueberry is like witnessing a miracle. While it may be easy to get kids to eat blueberries, they often feel more motivated to eat food they’ve helped grow, even if it’s not their first choice. It can be surprising to see how much time and work it takes to grow just a few plants, increasing kids’ appreciation for all their food. Palmer agrees, adding, “It is also a great way to get the children in your life outside.” She suggests, “Focus your garden space on growing what your family likes to eat. If you have salad lovers, then a garden filled with lettuce, carrots and a cherry tomato is a perfect fit. Your produce will be very fresh and there will be less waste since you will be harvesting as you need it.”

Grow What is Expensive

“Whether you save money by growing your own vegetables is debatable. It really depends on what you have to invest in your garden space and how many years you use it,” explains Palmer. If you are starting small or have limited space, grow the item that costs more at the store. Potatoes need quite a bit of space and are relatively inexpensive, whereas fresh berries can cost quite a bit, yet are easy to grow and come back every single year. An apple tree can cost about $40 but will also produce for years. However, it’s possible you’ll need a fence to keep the deer away. “I look at it more as an investment in my health, both physical and mental. I that I save money on a gym continued from page 27 membership since I get my exercise with weeding, planting and shoveling compost,” quips Palmer.

Grow What Grows Well

For first-timers, growing something that is sure to succeed can help increase confidence. Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, kale and blueberries tend to be lower maintenance and provide a good harvest with just one plant. Some plants are not suited for our climate though, despite their seeds being sold at stores (like the habanero peppers). “The easiest way to figure out what does well here is to look at a local seed company,” advises Palmer. “Territorial Seed, located in Roseburg, Oregon trials a great majority of the seeds they sell. Even if you are not going to start your own pepper plants, you can look at the seeds they sell and then search for those varieties when shopping for your garden.”

Unfortunately, not everything you grow will do well, but that doesn’t mean you did something wrong. A heat wave or an unusually cool summer can change things dramatically. Every season is different. Don’t get discouraged, learn from the experience and keep trying.

Don’t Waste Time or Money

Once you have a garden plan in place, a trip to the store can be both exciting and overwhelming. Colorful displays can easily grab your attention with decorative pieces and matching items. “I often see really cute tomato cages selling at a hefty price,” says Palmer. “The problem is they are often flimsy. Trust me, I’ve fallen for this myself! A robust indeterminate tomato plant will have those cages laying on the ground by mid-August. Cheaper alternatives that work well can be found at home improvement or farm supply stores.” Palmer suggests using simple T-posts and twine. Her favorite method, however, is fashioning concrete-reinforcing wire into a circular basket. These will basically last forever, making them a versatile investment. Hog panels (galvanized wire sections) can be used for pole beans and cucumbers.

While seeds are cheaper than buying transplants, the transplants do save time. “Inexpensive transplants are available at local plant sales that are run by schools, gardening groups and nonprofit organizations. These groups will generally be providing varieties that grow well in our region,” shares Palmer.

Plan for Pests

Bunnies, birds, bugs and even the neighbor’s cat can all pose a problem for your garden. Knowing how to prepare your garden in the beginning can save your harvest in the end. “Insect pests like aphids, flea beetles and leaf hoppers are easily avoided by laying a floating row cover over your planting bed as soon as you plant,” shares Palmer. “It can lay right on top of the plants and still allows light and water in but keeps the flying insects out. Row cover can also be used against birds. I have to put row cover over my rows of peas until they emerge to keep the birds from eating the seeds out of the ground. Row cover can also keep rabbits and squirrels off smaller crops, or a simple chicken wire fence can suffice for rabbits.”

Slugs are another common problem in our area. Fortunately, the local Master Gardener’s post many of the webinars they present on their YouTube channel. In one video they thoroughly cover slugs and snails and answer questions from home gardeners. In the webinar, they discuss baits, watering techniques and more. Other videos discuss attracting beneficial bugs into your garden.

Attend an Event

Even a Master Gardener, who studied researched-based best practices in a classroom, will tell you that when it comes to gardening, you learn most of it as you go along. However, having an expert show you exactly how to prune or transplant will speed up that learning process. Many of these types of events are held at the 78th Street Heritage Farm in Hazel Dell, which also offers rentable plots.

“Master Gardeners conduct workshops throughout the year to provide hands-on experience,” explains Palmer. “These are done in small groups so everyone can get in close and participate in the activity. Many of us learn best by doing and these workshops provide that opportunity. Examples of workshops are blueberry, grape, and fruit tree pruning, growing kiwis, strawberries, vegetables, tomato pruning, mason bees, etc.” continued on next page

Ask for Advice

All Master Gardeners know that even the most experienced gardener needs help sometimes. The Master Gardeners are almost like detectives that can uncover your gardening problem from studying the local ecosystem. “Whether it’s an insect pest infestation, an unknown pathogen destroying your beloved plants, or just a question about how to get a soil test, certified Master Gardeners are available to answer your questions or provide advice. The Answer Clinic is provided all year, Tuesday through Friday. The best way to contact a Master Gardener is to email us at mganswerclinic@clark.wa.gov.

If you have a plant problem, send a photo of the problem area and one of the whole plant,” says Palmer.

Prepare for Next Season

When the harvest is over and it’s time to “put the garden to bed” there is still some work to do. Take time to reflect again on the space, sunlight and soil. What plants do you want to try next year? Do you want to expand your growing area? Drawing a map of where you want to plant things next year helps you visualize the garden and maximize your space. Many plants do better when planted next to each continued from previous page continued on page 30

Feature: A Master Gardener's Top 10 Tips for Beginners (cont'd) continued from page 29 other, such as tomatoes and basil, or corn and squash. Palmer also reminds that you should rotate the crops each year because, “Diseases and pests overwinter in the soil and many of them are specific to a certain vegetable. So, if you put your tomato where the lettuce was last year, you avoid anything lurking that might just be waiting to find a tomato, but it won’t affect lettuce.”

The number of home gardens increased during the pandemic, which has continued to put a strain on seed suppliers. This is another reason Palmer advises to plan ahead for the following season so you can get your seed shopping done before they sell out. “Get your garden beds prepared as soon as possible by weeding and applying compost. Adding some lime to your soil is a good idea, especially if you experienced blossom end rot the previous year. Also, get your tools cleaned up, sharpened, and ready to go. Once the planting season starts, you will be glad for the head start.”

Share

Because of our wonderful climate, many vegetables and fruits grow well here. It’s fun to share the literal fruit of your labors with neighbors and friends. Palmer reminds that when your family starts to complain about how many beans they’ve eaten, you can “easily preserve it by freezing, canning or dehydrating.” But

Resources

No garden space? Learn about rentable community garden plots at clark.wa.gov/public-works/community- there are others in our community who would appreciate the extras, too. The WSU-V extension office coordinates with local food banks through the Share the Bounty program to help gardeners learn where to donate. Palmer says the food banks are always “ecstatic to get fresh produce.”

Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County at 78th Street Heritage Farm will take place Mother’s Day weekend, May 13-14, 2023.

• WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/ WSUExtensionClarkCountyMasterGardenerProgram.

• Register for upcoming Master Gardener workshops at extension.wsu.edu/clark/master-gardeners/communityeducation/workshops-events.

• Learn about donating your backyard bounty at extension.wsu.edu/clark/share-the-bounty.

Find all these links and more at VancouverFamilyMagazine.com.

Sarah Mortensen holds a degree in marriage and family studies and works for Vancouver Public Schools as a paraeducator in addition to her role as associate editor of Vancouver Family Magazine. When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and daughter.

1 SATURDAY

Easter Bunny Photos at Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr. Hop on over to Vancouver Mall to visit the Easter Bunny for family photos through April 8. Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-8 pm, Sun 11 am-6 pm. Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny Apr 3, 4-7 pm.

4 TUESDAY

Camas Public Library’s 100th Birthday On April 4, 1923, the Women’s Club of Camas formed the Camas Public Library. Come celebrate the Library’s birthday! All day we will have goodies, treats, and a fun scavenger hunt for kids. Every 100th person to enter the Library will get a special prize! Join us at 4 pm for swing music and dancing. 10 am-8 pm

6 Thursday

Hidden Histories: The South Vietnamese Side of the Vietnam War at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. How did the South Vietnamese military really experience the Vietnam War? Historian Julie Pham draws from interviews she conducted with 40 South Vietnamese military veterans in the United States, and illuminates how people can remember historical events differently. Admission is free. 7-8:30 pm

7 FRIDAY

Vancouver’s Downtown Association First Friday Art Walk. Art, culture,